Ivory Coast: U.N. Security Council extends Ivory Coast peacekeepers' mandate.

Section: General News - The United Nations Security Council votes unanimously on a resolution to extend the mandate of its peacekeepers in the Ivory Coast.

The Security Council on Monday extended the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Ivory Coast for six months, in a challenge to incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo, who has said it should leave.

Gbagbo last week ordered out the 10,000 member force, after the United Nations said he had lost a November 28 presidential election to challenger Alassane Ouattara and should step down, but he has refused to do.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki moon has said the force will continue operations, but with Gbagbo …